“We are members of NATO, and not because we see Europe as Russia’s “back yard” as you do.”
It’s either their “back yard” or it’s World War 3, at least with Putin. Given that, they can have what’s rightfully theirs.
If using the word "rightfully" makes you feel better, then use it. Just remember that others know what the word actually means.
So you are merely expressing fear and a desire to surrender to strong men.
Not just with Putin.
With every Russian commander trained under the Russian military academies since the Crimean war.
But you have a lot of Americans who are too stupid to comprehend that now matter how many classic Russian military texts you show them.
Some of these idiots are officers, which helps show how we got whew we are.